Ryden, one of the largest independent property consultancies in the UK, has recruited two new staff members (Robert Dunston and Ian Whittaker) in Manchester to work together to build an industrial agency team. The Manchester office was opened in July 2017 and is headed by Andrew Richardson, partner – investment and finance.
Robert Dunston joins as Development Consultant. Robert’s specialist and unrivalled knowledge of the industrial market has been gathered over the last 40 years. Robert spearheaded the growth of GVA’s industrial team from 1996 working alongside his two other equity partners. Prior to joining GVA, Robert was with Dunlop Heywood from 1979 to 1996 and whilst there was one of the first industrial agents to break into the big shed market in the region and has been a key part of the team for many large-scale schemes including Omega in Warrington. He became a fellow of the RICS in 1996. Robert set up his own industrial agency consultancy business (RGD Consulting) in June 2017 which he will continue to operate alongside his work with Ryden.
Ian Whittaker also joins the team from GVA working primarily alongside Robert as Associate Director and also assisting Andrew in the investment team. Ian has spent the last eight years working in GVA’s restructuring solutions business unit as an associate director primarily acting for banks, insolvency practitioners, private equity houses, property companies and landlords, whilst working closely with both the investment and industrial agency teams. Prior to this, Ian worked at Sanderson Weatherall across the industrial agency and corporate services teams. He is a member of the RICS and an RICS Registered Valuer with eight years post qualification experience. He has a broad general practice knowledge background, with particular depth in agency and corporate restructuring.
Andrew Richardson, Head of the Manchester office and Partner – Investment & Finance at Ryden said:
“Both Robert and Ian’s knowledge, experience and influence provides Ryden with a real opportunity to grow its Manchester presence. Alongside our investment capabilities, we’re keen to grow a strong industrial team which will provide clients with a niche, hands on, personal service with large agency approach and experience.” Matthew Edwards, Head of the English regions based at Ryden in Leeds added:
“We manage in excess of six million square feet of industrial property and have acquired 15 multi-let industrial estates for clients in the last three years out of our Leeds office and the focus on the industrial sector in the North West adds significantly to this expertise.
“At the end of the last financial year, turnover across the firm has increased by 15% and in England is up more than 30% reflecting an additional focus on our regional offices in London and Manchester.”
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